Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15518, Jacob Goff, R.I.

SERVICE
R.L.
NUMBER
W. 15518.
Goff, Jacob Aldrich, Olive
(Former widow.)
CONTENTS

Letter to Pen age 26. Jan'y 1839. Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 th Sept 1837 to 4 Sept 1838. Agent notified 31. Aug 1839
Rhode Island 1743
Olive Aldrich, formerly widow of Jacob Goff dec d
who died in the Fall of 1779 of Providence in the State of R. I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Waterman of the Reg t commanded by Col Brown in the R. I. line for 8 months R. I.
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 26 Dollars 67 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Jan y 1838 and sent Benj n Gowell Providence R. I.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1837 $73 35 Semi-annual allowance ending Ma 38 - 13 33
$186.68
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd pay of March 3 rd 1837
Recorded by H. H. Addams Clerk Book 4 Vol. 2 a Page 81

State of Rhode Island County of Providence
On this 3 d day of July 1837 personally appeared before me Benjamin Cowell chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County. Olive Aldrich now resident in Smithfield in said County who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oaths make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of language of July 4 1836 & March 3 d 1837. vis that she was born September 5 th 1752 in Gloucester in said County that she is now almost 85 years of age. that in the month of July 1768. she intermarried with Jacob Goff formerly of said Gloucester. the exact day of the month she cannot remember nor is her marriage recorded in any record public or private. she well remembers she was in her 17 year of age & was I believe on the 5 th of September afterwards, that she

lived with said Jacob until the fall of the year 1779 when he was blown up in a powder Mill in North Bridgewater was killed he had been in the service of the United States in making powder for a year according to her best recollection before he was destroyed. That after his death she lived a widow until January 1. 1790 when she again married Reuben Aldrich of said Smithfield but neither has she any record of this marriage, she was married in Gloucester the first time by Ichabod Hopkins Esq a Justice of the Peace & the second time by Elder Mitchell in Smithfield. That she lived with the said Reuben Aldrich until the month of September 1799 when he died
And she further declares that her first husband Jacob was a soldier of the revolution that soon after the battle of Bunker Hill he went to Boston & was in the service of his country until his death as aforesaid but such a length of time has elapsed she cannot remember his officers names nor the particular services

he performed except his services in the Pawtucket Mill. she must refer therefore to the evidences of those who served with him or are knowing to the same. she will remember he saved a great deal, the therefore requests that the pension which her first husband would have been entitled to, since the act of June 1832, of being may be extended to her. she having remained a widow & unmarried ever since the death of her second husband.
Witness Nathan Sprague for Oliver & Abner Mark
Providence R.I. Smithfield July 3 rd 1837
I swear to & subscribe before me I further certify that from extreme old age & infirmity she is unable to appear in Court -
Elizabeth C. G. C. E. Has

I think Goff of Smithfield in the County of Pender was living now almost sixty five years of age on both as likely as say that Oliver Harnick who has sworn to the pre- ceding declaration is my mother & the said Isaac Goff was my father. I also certify that my mother had two children (twins) before I was born both of whom are now deceased as I have always heard her say My father as I have always been informed was killed in a Pender Mills & she there remained a widow until Jan'y 1 1791 when she married Reuben Harnick She lived with said Reuben until his death which took place about thirty eight years ago. Since his death she has remarried & I was born Nov. 4 th 1772. as I have always understood
Chas. Goff
Witness Nathan B Sprague
Mark
Remained in the Smithfield July 3 rd 1837 Spoken to & subscribed before me and I further certify said Chas is a credible witness Benjamin L. Luce 6966th

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
A.T. 13-5-18
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Sarah Goff a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug. Sept. 1775 4 mos Minute Man Andrew Waterman ✓ R.I.   July 1776 1 mo. Pvt. Andrew Waterman Chad Brown   Jan. 1777 1 mo. at Bristol ✓   Oct. 1777 1 mo. Pvt. Andrew Waterman Chad Brown   Aug. 1778 1 mo. Ebenezer Trask ✓  
Battles engaged in, none stated.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Gloucester R.I.
Date of application for pension, July 3 1837. Her d. was al.
Residence at date of application, Smithfield Providence Co. R.I.
Age at date of application, She was born Sept. 5-1752 in Gloucester R.I.
Remarks: He married July 1768 at Gloucester R.I. Olive Doot.
* Soldier died in fall of 1779 leaving 3 wid. & 5 small children. Olive born Nov. 4 1772 is the only one whose name is given. His widow Olive mar. Jan. 1, 1790 or 1791, at Smithfield Reuben Aldrich who died in Sept. 1799.
Respectfully,
* blown up in a Powder Mill in South Providence R.I.
Commissioner.

Affidavit of Oliver J. Aldrich

State of Rhode-Island &c.
Providence (ss)
I Olive Aldrich of Smithfield in the County of Providence and State of Rhode-Island formerly widow of Jacob Goff deceased, hereby certify under oath that in February last, I was justly entitled to receive from the Agent of the United States in Providence for paying Pensions the sum of One hundred seventy one dollars. I had a Pension Certificate to receive the same, and that my daughter, Olive Goff being then and there present (to wit) on the 13 th day of February aforesaid in Providence aforesaid in the office of the Agent aforesaid, took the sum aforesaid from the hand of said Agent, and also (to wit) on the same day in Providence aforesaid at the dwelling house of the late Benajah Sweet dec d the said Olive Goff took from the work pocket of the Complainant the certificate which I received from the Agent of the War Office of the United States. And I believe said Olive Aldrich further say on Oath that I have repeatedly requested the said Olive Goff to deliver up the money so taken or a part thereof, together with the certificate, which she the said Olive Goff refuses to do. - And I further certify that on the 19 th day of March 1838. aforesaid I the said Olive Aldrich aforesaid did demand of said Olive Goff a part of said money so taken (to wit) $ 80.00 dollars also the certificate aforesaid. in the presence of Asa Winsor, Welcome Aldrich and Candace Lewis, the said Olive Goff refused to deliver up the same when requested or any part of the money, also said she had burnt said certificate. -
Olive Aldrich mark
State of Rhode-Island &c.
Providence ss
I hereby certify the above named Olive Aldrich was duly engaged on oath to the truth of the above affidavit on the 19 th day of March. 1838.
Before me. Asa Winsor Justice of the Peace.

P.O. Box 258 Centerdale, R. I. Feb 14, 1919.
Pension Bureau — Gentlemen. —
Will you kindly furnish all the information you have regarding Jacob Goff, a Revolutionary soldier—and his widow—Olivia Aldrich who received a pension? Please give date of her death if possible. Respectfully Yours.
Elwin G. Davis.
Lock Box 258, Centerdale, R. I.

1919 Feb 26 Hist. to Elvin G. Davis
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15378
Oliver Albrich Former Wid d of Jacob Goff Rev Rev War
Act: July 2 d 1836 March 3 d 1836
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 9
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
August 17, 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Olive Aldrich, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Rhode Island Agency, at the rate of Twenty Six Dollars and Sixty Seven Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1837, to the 4 th Sept. 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
William B. Passey
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

W. Evans
Jan 24
W. Evans Esq. Commissioner of Customs. Washington.
D. G.

Smithfield January 18 th 1839.
My Hon. Sir,
The undersigned subscribes at the earnest request and solicitation of Olive Aldrich formerly widow of Jacob Goff deceased, of Smithfield in the county of Providence and State of Rhode-Island a pensioner of the United States, humbly petitions your honor, to grant her a new certificate for obtaining her pension of the agent of the United States in Providence in said State. — She having received from the Commission of Pensions a certificate bearing date the 27 th day January 1838. and on the 13 th day of February 1838. was robbed of the same as the following Certificate or Affidavit will show. I therefore in behalf of said Olive Aldrich request of your Honor, to grant her a new certificate as soon as the rules of the Pension Office will permit. She is now and has been for a long time very feeble and greatly in need of said pension. — Please forward said Certificate if granted and direct the same to the care of the Agent of the United States for paying pensions in Providence in said State.
To the Hon. J. L. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions. Washington. D. C.
Respectfully Yours.
Belcore Aldrich
State of Rhode Island &c.
Providence R.I.

State of Rhode-Island &c.
Providence sc.
I Olive Aldrich of Smithfield in the County of Providence and State of Rhode-Island formerly widow of Jacob Goff deceased, hereby certify under oath, That, in February last, I was justly entitled to receive from the Agent of the United States in Providence for paying Pensions the sum of One hundred seventy one dollars. I had a Pension Certificate to receive the same, and that my daughter, Olive Goff being then and there present (to wit,) on the 13 th day of February aforesaid in Providence, on overhearing aforesaid in the Office of the Agent aforesaid, took the sum aforesaid from the hand of said Agent and also (to wit,) on the same day in Providence aforesaid at the dwelling house of the late Benajah Sweet dec d she said Olive Goff took from the Work pocket of the complainant the certificate which I received from the Agent of the War Office of the United States. - And I said Olive Aldrich further say on oath that I have repeatedly requested the said Olive Goff to deliver up the money so taken or a part thereof, together with the certificate, which she the said Olive Goff refuses to do. - And I further Certify that on the 19 th day of March 1838. aforesaid I the said Olive Aldrich aforesaid did demand of said Olive Goff a part of said money so taken (to wit,) $80.00 dollars also the certificate aforesaid. in the presence of Isa. Winsor, Welcome Aldrich & Candace Lewis. The said Olive Goff refused to deliver to deliver up the same when requested or any part of the money, also said she had burnt said certificate.
State of Rhode-Island &c.
Olive Aldrich Mark.
Providence sc. I hereby Certify that the above is a true Copy of the Original Certificate or affidavit as taken in my presence and duly sworn to on the 19 th day of March 1838. by said Olive Aldrich. Before me. Isa. Winsor Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode-Island,
County of Providence ss
Be it Known that on the 18 th day of January A.D. 1839. Personally appeared the within named Oliver Aldrich and was duly engaged on oath to the truth of the within Affidavit, by her subscribed.
Before Me. ————— Nicholas S. Minson Justice of the Peace.

I think Mann of Smithfield in the County of Providence living now 90 years of age or rather do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Jacob Goff formerly of Gloucester & with his wife Olive Goff now the widow of Rulien Aldrich. I have a distinct rec- ollection of the time that Jacob Goff & Olive Goff were married. I then lived in the neighborhood & was intimately acquainted with her. we were often in company together I was not present at the marriage but well remember the time. It was in the year 1768. I was married in May 1772 on the 9th of the month as appears by my certificate & said Jacob & Olive had then been married four years or nearly four. I remember she had several children be- fore I married, said then lived with said Jacob as his wife until he was killed in a powder mill in 1779. I well remember this event & according to my best recollection it was in September of that year. Said Olive then lived a widow until she married Rulien Aldrich & since the death of her second husband

She has remained unmarried - I do not remember the services which Jacob performed in the Army but I well re- member he did go into the service but how much or under what officers I cannot say Mr Phoebe + Mary Witney Nathan B. Sprague Mark
Received of In Smithfield July 3 rd 1837 Seven to & Subscribed before me by the said Phoebe Mann and I hereby certify she is a credible witness Benjamin Luce G. G. May

I Sarah Dyer of Providence in the State of Rhode Island being now almost 93 years of age. In answer to thy request I say that during the war of Revolution I lived in Boston in said State & was a neighbor to said Goff & his family. I have a distinct recollection that said family married said Goff but do not recollect the time as was I present at the marriage but I still recollect of hearing of their being married. They were married several years after I was, and I was married ten years before the war. I have no doubt from my best recollection they were married at the time mentioned in the declaration & as attested to Mrs. Phoebe Allen whose deposition has been read to me to wit in 1768. but as to the exact time I cannot remember. I was well acquainted with them both of them both before & after their marriage & with their families & they

heard together a man & wife sent to be killed in the blowing up of a powder mill. John Dyer & Sarah Dyer at Bristol  England  March
Providence  Rhode Island City of Providence  Aug 4 1837
I would to be Salisbury before me & reduced to country  near  the  summit  of  a further city  road  such  is  a  useful
Providence  Aug 4 1837
I have no doubt from my experience at the time of my
visit to the Providence the character  as  well  as  the where experience  has  been  found  to  be most to  the  point  of  view
and in 1837 in  the of experience  has  been  found  to  be most to  the  point  of  view
with the  fact  of  the  fact  of  the fact of  the  fact  of  the  fact  of  the

I James Olney of Johnston in the County of Providence, do hereby now almost 76 years of age on oath do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Jacob Goff formerly of Providence  Gloucester The husband of the now widow Abigail. In 1777. we were both in General Spencer's Expedition. partly in September & partly in October. I served a month together. stationed at Trenton. we marched down there in two different companies. but when there we were put in & served in some company which company was commanded by Capt Andrew Patterson in Col Chas Brown's regiment, we saw both Generals. After this I have no recollection of serving with him.

but I remember he was taken to work in a powder mill as a master work- man in the manufacture of powder & in 1879 in August I think the mill was blown up & he was killed. he worked more than a year in the mill before his death & my impression is he was employed by Government to work in said mill & was taken from Captain Andrew Watermans Company. for that purpose & while he was at work there did no other duty. he was a member of Captain Watermans minute company from the beginning of the war. I saw him the next day after he was killed. he boarded with an uncle of mine.

when he worked in the Mill - James Olney
Providence
In City of Providence August 4 1837
Sworn to & Subscribed before me and by me reduced to writing in presence of the affiant & I further certify said James is a credible witness
Benja Lancer 6 of 66 Phos

John Stearns of Lancaster in the County of Kent, but having removed to the City of Bristol served as a Justice of the Peace and I say that I am now in the 79 year of my age. In 1778 I lived in the town of Gloucester in the County of Gloucester and in August of that year I enlisted as a private in a Company of Militia men under the Command of Capt Andrew Waterman I then afterwards marched with said Company to Rhode Island continued in service on the Islands in the Bay until winter then returned at least until I further testify that I still remain a private by the name of James G. ...

Glaciated who was a private in the same company & served with us during all of said time. We were together four months, it was part the middle of winter before we returned I remember the heavy inducements were brought during this campaign - After my return I enlisted in Col. Lippitt's regiment for a year & after that went on board the Frigate Providence & served until that Frigate was broken up for my services on board that ship I now draw a pension & to get it have come to Providence John Warner
City of Providence Sept 5 1833 sworn to & subscribed before me I further certify said affiant is a creditable person Richard L. Russell 6 of 66 Mass

The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Town Clerks Office Gloucester
June 29 th A. D. 1837.
I Cloris H. Brown Town Clerk of the town of Gloucester in the County of Providence do hereby certify that I have examined the record of marriages &c. for said town, and do not find the marriage of Jacob Goff to Olive Sweet therein recorded.
I further certify from my knowledge of the facts, that a great many marriages have been solemnized in said town, of which no record has been made.
Cloris H. Brown Clerk
Providence & Gloucester June 29 th A. D. 1837 Then personally appeared the above named Cloris H. Brown Town Clerk of said town of Gloucester and made solemn oath to the truth of the above certificate by him signed. Before me Jesse S. Southwick Justice of the Peace

I Ruelen Steele of Scituate in the County of Providence being now almost 82 years of age on oath do testify & say, that I was formerly well acquainted with Jacob Goff, formerly of Scituate in said County & was also acquainted with Oliver Sweet whom he afterwards married, after said Jacob was blown up in the Powder Mill. she married a man by the name of Aldrich. - as to the time of her first marriage I do not remember, but I well remember it was several years before the War of the Revolution & well remember he was married when he enlisted into Capt Andrew Hattmans Minute Company in 1775 - And I further testify that in August or September 1775 said Jacob & myself both enlisted

as privates into Capt Andrew Watrous company of minute men and I remember that soon afterwards we were called into actual service. we went to Providence then to Newport & then to Black Island where we went to remove property to prevent its destruction by the enemy then we came back to Convent Island where we were stationed as a guard at a place called Beane's Tail two months & then in winter went on Prudence Island and I remember this was the time when Prudence was burnt. & there was a skirmish with the enemy at the time. We served together at this time four months at least it was as late as the middle of winter before we came home. during all this time said Gardle Hoff was with us. I do not re- member of serving with him afterwards

but I believe he did other services I remember he was taken to work in the Packer Mill & did work in it & he was at work in it when he was blown up & killed. several years afterwards
Providence
November 1887
In Smithfield Aug 24 1837
I went to & subscribed before me and
I further certify said affiant is a
credible witness
Bryant Luce 67 66 Mass

I Tence Angee of the City of Providence being now in the 82 nd year of my age on oath do testify & say that I was intimately well acquainted with Jerde Goff formerly of Gloucester the husband of Mary Goff. During the war of the Revolution I lived in Smithfield & a neighbor to him - altho' in a different town. In the fall of 1775 we were both privates in Capt Andrew Watermans minute company on the Islands in the Bay, a number of months - In the spring  summer of 1776, in July we served together a month at Secunett Point in Little Compton in the same Company & the same month of January 1777 we served a month at Bristol. This service was partly in December & partly in January I remember it from the circumstance that some of the soldiers stationed had a furlough on New Years night & the house got on fire in which they were, it caught fire from flax in the garnett. We also served together a month in General Spencer's Artillery in October 1777 stationed at Kingston

I also remember that we both served together in General Sullivan's expedition in August 1778 under Capt Ebenezer Trask on Rhode Island. Soon after this he was taken to make Gunpowder & worked in the Mills for a year & was then blown up. I did not live a great way from the Mills when it blew up & immediately after the explosion I went there & was with Goff when he died. he lived ten or twelve hours after the explosion. The above are all the services I remember of serving with said Goff - The said Gardner was married before the war but how long I do not remember
Frederick Angell
In City of Providence Sept 13 1838
Sworn to & Subscribed before me and I further certify said Frederick Angell is a credible witness - said affidavit was reduced to writing by me in the presence of affiant
Benjamin Cummins 6766th

2845 Oliver Aldrich
admitted for 8m P. 88 Apr 6. \frac{66}{100}
B. Cornell

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode- Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name, " HENRY BOWEN, " to the afore-written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who at the time of subscribing the same was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Provi- dence, this sixteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Seven and of Independence the sixty- second
John Brown Francis
By His Excellency's Command.
Henry Bowen Secy

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
In General Assembly May session 1780. Whereas Mrs Olive Goffe of Smithfield, informed a petition and represented unto this Assembly that her late husband Jacob Goffe in August last was killed while at work in the State Powder Mill in Johnston, by the same taking fire, whereby she is left a widow with five small children destitute of the comforts of life, and of relations, who are able to afford her any assistance; and therefore she prayed this Assembly to grant her an allowance for the support of herself and children; which being duly considered. It is voted and resolved, that the said Olive Goffe be, and she is hereby empowered to draw the sum of Six hundred Pounds lawful money out of the General Treasury for the purposes aforesaid.
True copy - witness
Henry Bowen Secy
Secy's office Sept 16. 1837.
I certify that at the session of the General Assembly on the first Wednesday in May last, Benjamin Russell was elected Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Providence, and Jesse S. Turtellot a Justice of the Peace for the town of Gloucester in said County, for one year each and commissioned accordingly.
witness Henry Bowen Secy